The Dream Team

Adam Lee

Educator

Adam Lee is the founder of a wine advisory practice, following his successful 20-year career as an innovator and cult-like Pinot Noir specialist. When Adam began his winemaking career, he focused his interests on small vineyards, where his hands-on experience guided the future wines to great fame. This focus was for West Coast Pinot Noirs, with regions of interest stretching from the Santa Rita Hills in Santa Barbara, to Oregon’s Willamette Valley.

In this passion for Pinot, he also experienced taking his start-up Siduri Winery into the three-tier system, getting it placed nationally. It is this aspect in his area of expertise that makes him a valuable candidate for the Ron Rubin Winery’s DREAM TEAM.

Adam graduated from Trinity University with a Bachelor’s degree in French history. Despite his French history studies, Adam rarely spent time looking at wine. He explains that it was the entire college experience and one special person Dianna Novy, who especially introduced him to fine wine. (Dianne Lee was destined to become Adam’s wife and winemaking partner.) After graduation, he found a job as a wine clerk with Austin Wine & Spirits. Adam loves the history of wine and wants to see how it applies to wine today. It has made a big difference in his life and paths going forward, which continue to allow for yet more innovation.

Explaining his desire to work with Ron Rubin, “I was really interested in working with Ron, after I met with him at the winery. The property is beautiful and in a part of the Russian River Valley that has the opportunity to grow stunning grapes. Then, after sitting down with Ron, it became apparent that he’s willing to follow through on whatever is necessary to take full advantage of the potential of the property. Lastly, Ron made it clear that he felt like I could contribute something to the success of the project. This combination was too good to pass up.